In a previous article, "The Art of Articulation", a simplified construction technique was presented as a time-saving, efficient means of manufacturing the chassis for a tandem fly. The method as described employs fewer steps and materials and lends itself quite well to the mass production of articulated patterns. As a result of my research of that technique, I owe a hearty thanks to Don Ordes for his insight and assistance and Don Wilson and Ron McKusick for helping shed light on the origins of the furling technique. A special thanks also to Christopher Armour and Bob Hull, the latter whom I refer to as the "King of String" (leeches) and whose unique rabbit leech patterns provided the original inspiration for my investigation.

To summarize my previous article, the furling of the stinger hook to the connecting material (sometimes referred to as a harness) results in what I have come to call a "J-Rig" which can then be attached with tying thread to the lead hook thus forming the tandem chassis. The construction process of the J-Rig usually requires no thread, glue, knots or even tools and is very fast. Additionally, the connection material can be any of a slew of materials that includes, but is not limited to, Gudebrod Lead Free-Core trolling line, Amnesia monofilament, braided monofilament, Gudebrod braided dacron or American Fishing Wire braided stainless leader material; these are the materials that have been experimented with thus far and do not represent a complete compilation of the potential materials suitable for use with this technique. Hook styles for use are varied but the best results have been when Octopus hooks are used for the stinger hook. What is desirable is either an up-eye or down-eye hook so the shanks of the two hooks are in the same axis. It should be noted that the iterations of possible stinger hook/connection material/lead hook combinations is huge in number. Only through trial and error will the fly tier arrive at the perfect combination to address a particular angling application and, with that said, this treatise (as was the first) is mostly intended to disseminate the technique in hopes of inspiring more creative tandem fly designs.

My first article simply addressed the construction of a rudimentary J-Rig, that being a conjoined stinger hook and harness material. However, the mere act of furling the harness material lends itself to advanced techniques that would be impossible with a traditional stinger connection such as single-strand braided mono or braided wire connected in the standard fashion (lashed to the stinger hook). With connection materials applied in a more-traditional manner, there is no easy way to permanently attach body materials in a durable, efficient fashion. Attempting to do so to a completed, traditional tandem chassis proves highly problematic for numerous reasons. However, with the furling technique it is possible to apply dubbing, herl, flash material and/or hackle to the furled harness. Thus, the harness becomes not just a simple means to add a hook at the back of the fly but it becomes the foundation by which a body can be applied into the fly design as an integral part of the construction. The fundamental J-Rig construction technique lends itself well to pre-manufacturing and this remains a trait even when these advanced techniques are employed. Very long, flexible flies with hooks that have short shanks and excellent hooking angles are now not only possible but also very easy to construct.

The first experiments with dubbed harnesses were impressive and very simple to construct. After the connection material and the singer hook are married using a loop-to-loop (larkshead knot) connection, dubbing is applied to each "tag" of the material. To initiate furling, one tag end was held by the jaws of a Nor-Vise and the other pinched between the thumb and index finger. When sufficient twist was applied to the system by spinning the vise, furling would ensue thus locking each dubbed segment into place. When the same color dubbing is used on each tag the net result is a very full, dubbed body. If contrasting dubbing colors are used on opposite tags of the connection material, the net result yields a unique-looking, variegated segment. The final application is that of dubbing applied to one tag of the connection harness. In this instance, the result is a dubbed body ribbed with the connection material. Experimentation with different textures and colors leads to a plethora of combinations inhibited only by the creativity of the fly tier.

The next advanced technique is the application of hackle into the connection. This technique employs Amnesia monofilament and a schlappen feather. Prior to snugging-up the looped Amnesia to the hook with the larkshead knot, entrap the very tip of the schlappen feather then pull the knot tight so the feather is locked in place. With one tag end of the material in the vise and the other held taut along parallel with the quill of the feather in the axis of rotation, rotate the vise head to initiate twist into the material. When the ensuing furling begins, the feather will become entwined in the Amnesia with the net result being a J-Rig that appears to have a hackle palmered around the connection material. This is the first time many have ever seen a hackled tandem such as an articulated Wooly Bugger. Once again, experimentation is going to be the driving force behind utilization of the technique and the options and combinations seem endless.

The final advanced furling technique to be addressed is that of using small diameter materials such as herl, chenille or Krystal Flash or Flashabou. Much like the hackling technique, entrap the tip of the herl, chenille or flash material in the loop-to-loop connection prior to the harness material being tightened upon the hook. The furling is promulgated in the same manner as previously described with said material being held in the axis of rotation with the tag end of connection material not being held in the jaws of the vise. The volume of herl or flash material used is arbitrary and dependent on the desired final appearance of the harness. Once again, possible combinations are numerous and, in following with the theme, limited only by the imagination of the fly tier.

To conclude, although the advanced techniques make necessary the use of a true rotary vise which spins freely to facilitate the construction operation and a little patience, the net results are well worth the effort. In time and with practice, these techniques become easier and almost second-nature. Additionally, with the fact that furled J-Rigs that have had advanced techniques applied to them can be manufactured in advance and in quantity, the ability to meld these methods into a production scenario is entirely possible resulting in the mass production of flies that appear convoluted and complicated yet, in reality are truly simplified. So, get some connection material and hooks and let your creative side take over for a while. If you have ever wanted to tie fanciful, articulated patterns yet were intimidated by the amount of labor requisite by the previous, standard production methods, take the furling technique for a spin, no pun intended.

Don Johnson is an environmental chemist by profession who is also contract fly tier for Pacific Fly Group and enjoys appointments to the following manufacturer’s pro-staffs: The Norlander Company (Nor-Vise), Daiichi/Angler Sport Group, Gudebrod Inc., Ross Reels and St. Croix Rod Company.

Copyright 2003
Don Johnson

 

Article	095
Created	9-19-2005
Modified	2-1-2006
Author	Don Johnson
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